Apparatus for manufacturing ice cream and the like



C. W. VOGT Oct. 29, 1929.

APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING ICE CREAM AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 18, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet OQQOOQCQO Q INVENTOR. (Zn/awn: m V067, WW

ATT NEYJ,

Oct. 29, 1929. C VOGT 1733,74'0

APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING ICE CREAM AND THE LIKE Filed Jam I8, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

Cim/vi/vci War.

Oct. 29, 1929. I c, w, VOGT 1,733,740

APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING ICE CREAM AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 18, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 z-QQM ATTO NEYJI Oct. 29, 1929. VOGT 1,733,740

APPARATUS -FO R MANUFACTURING ICE CREAMAND THE LIKE Filed Jan, 18, 1.927 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 x I II EN TOR.

BYW p Patented Oct. 29, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT orrics CLARENCE W. VOGT, OF LOUISVILLE, KHITUCKY, ASBIGNOB TO VOGT INSTANT FREEZERS, INCORPORATED, OF LOUISVILLE, KENTUKBKY, A CORPORATION OF DELA- WARE APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING ICE cam AND THE LIKE Application filed January 18, 1987. Serial In. "rennet.

frozen liquids and confections, and involves an arrangement of parts whereby the material is first mixed, aerated, and semi-frozen in a plastic state, and then continuously passed through and delivered from that art of the apparatus in which the hardening is effected.

Heretofore it has been customary in the manufacture of ice cream and the like to mix the same, lowerin its temperatureto sucha degree that it wil be in a semi-frozen or plastic state, and thereafter place such mixture in suitable containers, molds or the like, which are then allowed to remain standing in a freezing or hardening room until frozen to a solidified condition. This has been accomplished by the placing of such molds or containers on racks in the freezing or hardening room. 1

In my improved apparatus there is provided a hardening chamber having conveying means therein for continuously advancing the semi-frozen and aerated material during the hardening operation. The material instead of being in a large mass, for instance in cans, is of such thickness that during its time of travel under the influence of the intense refrigerating action it is hardened by the time it reaches the point of delivery.-

One of the principal objects of this inven. tion is to freeze the semi-frozen and plastic mixture into a substantially solid state, as a continuous and rapid operation, thus elim- -inating the necessity for letting the semi More specifically the invention pertains to an-apparatus for freezing ice cream or the like wherein the freezer for whipping air into the mix and freezing it to a semi astic state is so arranged or constructed as to be capable of continuously delivering such semi-'- plastic mix with the proper overrun into a hardening room or chamber 111 on a conveying or freezing surface or the ii e such as will continuously, convey or advance the mix within or through the chamber while it gradually becomes hardened through the medium of the low degree of temperature, whereby it may be continuously delivered from said hardening room for use, thus great- 1 ly facilitating the rapidity with which ice cream or the like may be manufactured.

Other features and advantages of this ma-" chine and the process employed thereby will be more specifically pointed out and become ap arent from the accom anying drawings an the following description and claims:

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation showing the refri rating room in section. Fig. 2 is an en arged view showing a side elevation of the refrigerating rolls with the central portion thereo Fig. 3 is the same as Fig. 2, showing. a plan. view thereof with parts illustrated in cross section. Fig. 4 is an end elevation of the rolls. Fi 5 is a. section taken on the line 5-5 of ig. 2 with the addition of the spreader mountedthereabove.

In the drawings, there is shown an ice cream freezer of the-heavy duty commercial type, comprising a driving motor 10, gear housing 11, base 12, freezing chamber 13 and batch weigher reservoir 14. On the end of the chamber 13 there is a handle 15 for broken away.

as I

controlling the discharge valve 16. The above-described freezer is of a common ty e in commercial use and well known to t e trade as being adapted to partially freeze the mix to a semi-plastic state incorporating 10 a scale platform 18, said receptacle being adapted to receive a batch of semi-frozen mixture as it is discharged from the freezer. The scale platform 18 is connected in the usual manner with the scale beam 20 provided with an adjusting weight 21 and the removable weights 22.- The lower end of the receptacle 17 is in open communication with a vacuum delivery pipe 23, the same being controlled by a valve 24. Said valve is connected with a double solenoid 25, which, in turn, has its opposed coils connected in the usual manner with a source of current, while the other terminals of the respective coils are connected through the wires 26 with a contact on top of the beam 20 and one on the lower side thereof, respectively. The source of current is connected with the scale, whereby a current is directed through the upper solenoid for lifting and 'openin the valve when a batch of mixture is droppe into the receptacle 17 suflicient to cause the end of the beam to be raised so that contact will be made by the top thereof, and a reverse action for closing the valve will be caused by the energizing of the lower reverse solenoid upon the mixture being withdrawn from the receptacle so as to relieve the weight and allow the beam to drop down, making contact through the lower side thereof. However, various other means for controlling a. valve may be employed, such as to cause the valve to close w en there is nopressure to be drawn therethrough, and opened when the mixture is received by the receptacle. The purpose of this arrangement is to provide a continuous source of su plyto the hardening chamber to permit 0 I continuous hardening of the semi-plastic mix.

Adjacent the freezer there is a refrigerating room or chamber formed by the walls 30 .and properly insulated in the usual manner to retain the cold air, said chamber bein maintained at a low temperature throug the medium of the usual refrigerating system of brine pipes 30. Positioned near the top of the chamber there is a platform 31 upon which the refrigerating rolls are mounted. As shown in Fig. 3, there are provided two rolls 32 and 33, rotatably supported by the bearings 34 in the standards 35.

The rolls comprise an outer drum and inner drum 36 spaced therefrom so as to provide an annular refrigerant chamber 37 as shown in Figs. 3 and 5, the drums 36'being entirely closed to prevent any entrance therein of the refrigerating brine, and being rigidly secured to the ends of the rolls by the bolts 38. Surrounding the drums 36 there are spiral vanes 39 which extend from the drums 36 to the inner surface of the outer peripheries of the rolls. The chamber 37 is in communication with the brine pipe '40, leading from any suitable source of supply of the usual character. Brine is permitted to pass from the pipe through a header 41 which is in communlcation with both rolls 32 and 33 and through the pipes 42 which extend into the hollow spindles 43 mounted in the bearings 34, the connection therebetween having a suitable packing box 44 so as to permit relative rotation therebetween. The brine is forced in under suflicient pressure to cause it to be guided about the periphery of the drum 36 by the vanes 39 and discharged through the other end of each of the rolls which communicate with an outlet 45 in the same manner as above described with respect to the connection with the inlet 40. By reason of this arrangement, each of the rolls is cooled to a low degree of temperature, sufficient for causing the semi-frozen mixture which may come in contact with the surface thereof to be almost instantly frozen to solidity.

Each roll is provided on .itsend with suitable gears 46 and 47, shown in Fig. 4, one of Silld gears having associated therewith,

- as shown in Fi s. 2 and 3, a belt-driven pulley 48 which may e driven by a belt 49 through the reduction gears 50 by a motor 51, as shown in Fig. 1. By means of suitable reduction gearing 51, the speed of rotationof the rolls may be controlled for the purpose which will be hereinafter described. It will further be noted that the rolls will rotate in opposite directions as will be indicated by the arrows in Fig. 5.

Mounted directly over the rolls there is a discharge header or manifold 55 which is connected with the delivery pipe 23 through a central T-connection 56. .The manifold is well insulated by the insulating packing 57, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, and is supported from the top of the chamber by the hangers 58. Communicating with the manifold 55 there is a plurality of laterally-directed discharge nozzles 59 adapted to discharge the plastic mixture directly over the top of the refrigerating rolls, as shown in Fig. 5 throughout substantially the whole lengt thereof. Upon the mixture being distributed over the top surface of the rolls and coming in contact therewith in a comparatively thin film, the extremely low temperature of the surface causes the same to be frozen and solidified thereon. This action causes the mixture to adhere to the surface in its frozen state and be carried thereby past the point of'nearest approach of the two cylinders. In this connection, it will be noted that the cylinders are spaced apart a 1 maauo thickness of the coating so that any excess mixture will be spread over the surface of the rolls, whereby the thickness of the coating will not be such as to prevent complete solidi fication.

In order to prevent untimely freezing'of the mixture about the ends of the nozzles 59, where they approach the cold surface of the rolls 32 and 33, there are inserted adjacent thereto electrically-heated resistance wires 57 within the insulating material and directly adjacent the metal nozzle.

As the frozen mixture is carried about the rolls, it is removed therefrom by the knives 60, which are positioned as shown in'Figs. 3 and 5, on opposite sides of the rolls and supported on the side brackets 61., The knives are so supported as to errnit them to be reciprocated longitudina ly of the support, and are provided with a scalloped knife edge, shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3, so as to rather cut the frozen mixture from the rolls than scrape it therefrom. A 'reciprocatory action is imparted to the knives by reason of the projection 62 secured thereto engaging in a cam 63 formed integral with the gears 46 and 47', as best illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3.

It will be seen that the cylinder Walls act as conveyors to carry the material from the delivery nozzlesto the knives or scrapers,

that 1s, they continuously advance it while it is being hardened from the semi-frozen condition in which it existed at thenozzles, to a more nearly solid condition. As the material is of no at thickness the hardening action is quic y efiected. With theconveying surface also acting as a freezing surface, there is a rapid heat transfer from the material on one side of the conveyor to the brine on the other side. 7

As shown in Fig. 5, the frozen and solidified layer or coating of the mixture will thus be cut from the surface of the rolls and caused to drop upon a conveying belt 65, the sides of the belt being covered by the deflecting plates 66. The belt is mounted upon the rollers 67 which are rotatably supported in the brackets 68, and rotated through the medium of agear 69 meshing with the gear 46 and the bevel gears 70.

As the material 'is caused to drop from the surface of the hardening rolls-onto the convcydr belt it is advanced by said belt through the chamber while the hardening process continues due to the action of the extremely cold air in the hardening room which is cooled to a low degree by the pipes 30 and cylinders 32 and 88. Thus, there is illustrated herein two means of hardening the material, one means consisting ofjthe refrigerating surface which advances the material within the chamber as in the-case of the cylinders 32 and 33, while the'other means consists of the conveyor belt which advances the material within said chainber .while it is hardened by the low temperature of the air contained therein. The belt travis so arranged as to permit the attachment therewith of a mold or container 77 for receiving the mixture in its final frozen and solid state. Such container may be in the form of a commercial ice cream can into whichthe frozen ice cream is forced and packed by the feed screw, or it may be in the form of a mold for forming it to the desired shape, after which it may be discharged onto a conveyor belt 78 to carry it from the chamber. The timing of the whole apels in the direction-of the arrow, as shown paratus ma be such that the'dischar 'e of the batch from the freezer will cause a steady flow of the proper amount of mixture to the freezing rolls, so that the container or mold 77 will be packed under compression at given intervals of time, after which it will be replaced by an empty container, this feature of packing not forming a part of this invention.

In operation, a vacuum is maintained in the upper compartment. As shown herein the vacuum pump 80 is mounted in the lower compartment, which is in communication with the upper compartment through 'the vacuum line 79. A discharge-outlet 81 is provided in the lower compartment, whereby partial vacuum will be maintained in the upper compartment, but the discharge of the cold air drawn therefrom in producing a vacuum will be discharged in the lower compartment so that there will be no materialloss 1n-refrigeration, A suitable motor or'source of power for driving the vacuum pump 80 may be mounted outside of the chamber or room so that no heat will be generated therein from such motor. By reason of the vacuum created thereb'y,the semi-frozen and plastic mixture discharged into the receptacle 17' will be drawn by suction through the delivery pipe 23 "and out of the nozzles 59 of the manifold.

While itwould be feasible to deliver the semifrozen and plastic mixture, to the freezing Ian rolls under pressure rather than by suction,

'or in other ways, whereby it will be dis.- charged-thereover, the delivery thereof by,

vacuum has certain advantages in that the mixture will not be unduly compressed before more uniform condition. .This is f i'm portance, since the compression of-the ixture m freezing, so as to maintain the mixtu'rejin its semi-frozen state substantially decreases its bulk. v Upon the mixture being discharged over the surface of the freezing rolls, the exceedingly low temperature thereof will immediately cause the same to befr'ozen into a substantially solid state and will carry it around until it is cut from the rolls by means of the reciprocating knives 60. As the frozen and substantially solid particles of mixture are caused to drop on the belt in a flake-like formation, the belt carries them to the discharge opening Where they pass into the conveying and compressing chamber. As the frozen or solidified mixture in its flake-like form is fed a into its final container or form, it may be compressed and forced into a compact solid mass. It will be noted that the compression that takes place at the end of the operation occurs after the mixture reaches its fina frozen state, rather than while in the semifrozen and plastic form, which is the proper time for compressing and acking the same. The mixture is then rea y for commercial use, excepting for such mechanical operations as may be desired for the particular packing and treatment of the same, and the necessity of permitting it to become frozen in the usual manner as heretofore described, is thus eliminated.

This makes possible a continuous process in the manufacture of ice cream, ices or other frozen liquids or confections without the delay heretofore necessary, and further has cer-' tain advantages in the acking and handling thereof as heretofore escribed.

' With respect to the container 7 7, into which the mixture, in its flake-like frozen form, is finally acked, such container may be in the form of a mold or the like for use in the manufacture of small ice cream bricks or fancy designs. Furthermore, such deposit into a suitable container need not necessarily be done in the cold room, but may be done in a warmer room, with more comfort, by causing the mixture to pass through the wall of the cold room, as will be obvious. Furthermore, with respect to the freezing of ices and the like, the mixture may be directly spread or s rayed u on the freezing rolls in its liquid orm wit out having previously been mixed and partially frozen into a sem1- frozen plastic form. v

The invention claimed is:

1. An apparatus of the character described, comprising a chilling surface, means for maintaining said surface at a low degree of temperature, a receptacle for receiving a said mixture over the chilling surface, whereby it will become frozen and substantially solidified thereon, and means for removing said solidified mixture therefrom and depositing the same in a suitable container.

2. An apparatus of the character described, I 7

ing units positioned in said insulation adjacent the discharge ends of said nozzles for p preventing freezing of the mixture therein, and means for removing said solidified mixture from said surface and depositing the same in a suitable container.

3. An apparatus for freezing ice cream mix 5 or the like, the combination with an ice cream freezer adapted to whip air into the mix and freeze the same to a semi-plastic state, of means for hardening said semiplastic mix comprising a compartment, a

freezin surface mounted therein, means for maintaining said surface at a low degree-of temperature, means for maintaining a par tial vacuum in said compartment and means for delivering said semi-frozen mix fromsaid freezer into said compartment and onto said freezing surface by suction created by the partial vacuum,'whereby said mix will befrozen to a solid state.

4. In an ap aratus for freezing a mix of ice cream or t e like, the combination with an ice cream freezer adapted to;=whi air into the mix and freeze it to a semi-p astic state, of" means for hardening the same including a hardenin gree of temperature, means for maintaining a partial vacuum in said compartment and drawing the -mix from the freezer thereto and means in said compartment for receivin mix in its semi-plastic condition and f? ing it to a hardened condition. a a

5. In an apparatus for freezing ice cream or the like, the combination with a freezer for. whipping air into the mix and freezing. 5

batch of mixture, a conduit having one end connected therewith, a valve for controllingv the passage of mixture from said receptacle to said conduit, means actuated by the weight of the batch of mixture for controlling said valve, a spreading manifold connected with the other end of said conduit for discharging a 6. In an apparatus for freezing ice cream 1% or the like, the combination with a freezer for whipping air into the mix and freezing it to a semi-plastic state, of means for hardening the same comprisin a hardening comcompartment, means for m ke 1ma1nta1n1ng sa1 compartment at a low de-.

the no vered, means for maintaining said cox'n- 1 o partment into WhlCh Sfild mix inits semielivered, means for maintaining said compartment at a low degree of tem rature, and

a movable member contained an said com partment having a freezing surface for receiving said semi-plastic mix thereon, and freezing it to a hardened state.

7. An apparatus for freezing a mix of ice cream or the like, comprising a freezing surface, means for maintaining said .surface at a low degree of temperature, a processing machine for incorporating air into said mix to give it the desired over-run, a spreader and means for delivering the aerated mix from said machine to said spreader, said spreader for dischargin said aerated mix thereon, whereby it will come frozen and substantially solidified with the air incorporated therein.

8. In an apparatus for freezing ice cream or the like, the combination with a processing machine for whipping air into the mix to be frozen, of a freezmg'surface, means for maintaining said surface at a low degree of temperature,means for delivering the aerated mix from the discharge end of said machine to said freezing surface, and a spreader connected with said last-mentioned means for discharging the artially frozenand aerated mix over said reezing surface in a semiplastic state for causing the same to be hardened thereon.

9. In an apparatusafor freezingice cream or the like, the combination with a freezer for whipping air into the mix and freezing it to a seml-plastic state, of means for hardening the same comprising a hardening chamber, means for deliverin said mix in its semi-plastic state to said 0 amber, means for maintaining said chamber at a low degree of temperature, and means in said chamber for continuously advancing the mix through said chamber I during the hardening tgieration.

10. In an apparatus or freezing ice cream or the like, the combination with a freezer for w pr s a semi-p astic state, of meansfor har ening the same, comprising a hardening chamber, means for continuously deliverin said mix in its semi-plastic state to said chem 'r, means for maintaining said chamber at a low deof temperature, and means in said chami' for advancing said mix in'a thin layer while subjected to the action of saidlow temperature, whereby the mix is hardened.

air into the mix and freezin it to 12. In an a paratus for freezing ice cream I or the like, t e combination with a freezer for whipping air into the mix and freezing it to a semi-plastic state, of means for hardening the same com rising a hardening chamber, means for dellveringsaid mix in its semiplastic state to said chamber, means for maintaining said chamber at a low degree of temperature, and a combined freezin and conveying member in said chamber or continuously advancing the mix within said chamber during the hardening operation. v

13. In an apparatus for freezing ice cream or the like, the combination with a freezer for whipping air into the mix and freezing it to a semi-plastic state, of means. for hardening the same comprising a hardening chamber, means for continuously delivering said mix in its semi-plastic state to said chamber, means for maintaining said chamber at a low degree of temperature, and a belt conveyor in said chamber for continuously advancing the mix through said chamber during the hardening operation.

14. In an a paratus for freezing ice cream or the like, t e combination with a freezer for whi ping air into the mix and freezin it to a semi-plastic state, of means for hardening the same com rising a hardening chamber, means for de ivering said mix in its semiplastic state to said chamber, means for maintaining said chamber at a low degree of temperature, a combined freezing and conveying member, and a conveyor in said chamber for continuously advancing the mix within said chamber durin the hardening operation.

In witness w ereof, I have hereunto afiixed my signature.

CLARENCE W. VOGT.

- 11. In an a paratus for ice cream or the like, t e combination wi a I for whipping air intothe mix and freezilpf it to a semi-plastic state, of means for he emng ber, means for delivering said mix in its semiplasticstate-to said chamber, means for maintaining said chamber at a low de of temand a conveyor in said amber for the same comprising a hardening chem 

